The first round series between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Detroit Red Wings begins Thursday. So how do these two teams match up?
Following up last season's success by improving their standings point total from 101 to 108 and setting a franchise record with 50 wins, the Tampa Bay Lightning have become something of a trendy pick to advance deep into the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Game 1 is Thursday at Amalie Arena, and the past two regular season series against the Detroit Red Wings -- of which the Bolts have won 7 of the last 9 meetings -- would seem to indicate that the Lightning have an advantage heading into the series.